Navy Drops Colgate in Triple Overtime
from press releases
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Junior midfielder Joe Lennon
scored the final three goals of the game, including the game-winner
with 2:46 left in the third overtime, to give 11th-ranked Navy
(10-4) a thrilling 9-8 victory over 17th ranked Colgate (9-5) in
the Patriot League Men's Lacrosse Semifinals on Friday evening. It
is the first time in school history that Navy has won a postseason
game in overtime. Navy advances to play 15th-ranked Bucknell (9-6)
on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Patriot League Championship Game.
"In the fourth quarter, when we were down 8-6, I didn't see
anybody's head drop," said Navy head coach Richie Meade. "We just
kept fighting. Defensively, after the first quarter, I thought we
played very well. We gave up a couple of goals in transition, but
that was about it. We had to play well defensively to have a chance
to win."
Colgate led 8-6 and had possession of the ball with less than four
minutes remaining, but the Raiders' Rob Bosco turned the ball over
and Navy's Andy Tormey picked up the ground ball. Navy quickly
cleared the ball to the other end and Lennon converted the miscue
from 10 yards out with 2:51 remaining to make the score 8-7.
Colgate won the ensuing faceoff, but missed two shots on goal,
including one by three-time Patriot League Offensive Player of the
Year Brandon Corp who had an open shot at an empty net and missed
it wide. After a Bosco turnover, Lennon ripped the net from 15
yards out with 1:21 left to tie the game at eight.
Colgate won the faceoff again, but Navy goalie Tommy Phelan saved a
shot off the stick of Kevin Colleluori and Corp's shot was wide to
send the game into overtime.
In the first overtime, Navy's Robby Battle won the faceoff and
Brendan Connors took a shot that was saved by Colgate's Tim
Harrington. The Mids' Matt Vernam was whistled for a holding call
with 2:46 left, but Navy's man-down defense, which is ranked No. 1
in the country (85.7 percent) killed off the penalty with only one
shot taken. The Mids got the ball back with 1:08 left in the
overtime, but could never get a shot.
Both teams had opportunities to win the game in the second
overtime. Colgate's best chance came just 21 seconds in when Ian
Murphy's rocket shot hit the cross bar, while Navy long stick Zack
Schroeder had a breakaway after a wild scramble for a loose ball at
midfield, but his bounce shot was saved by Colgate goalie Tim
Harrington.
Battle won the faceoff to start the third overtime and the ground
ball was picked up by Jaren Woeppel. Navy held the ball for 1:14
before Lennon worked free for his 13th goal of the season and his
fourth of the game to end the longest game in Patriot League
Tournament history.
"It was too early to end the season," said Lennon. "We are just
happy to be playing on Sunday."
There was no doubt that Lennon was the hero of the night, but he
would not have been in position to win the game had it not been for
the defensive performance of senior Andy Tormey and freshman Matt
Vernam. Vernam held Corp, who entered the afternoon No. 1 in the
country in points per game (4.46 per game) to just one goal, while
Tormey held Colleluori, the third-leading scorer in the country
(3.0 goals per game) to just one goal and three shots.
"I thought Tormey and Vernam did a great job tonight," said
Meade.
Navy is 4-0 in Patriot League Championship games, defeating Hobart
(9-8) in 2004, Army (15-8) in 2005, Army (8-5) in 2006 and Colgate
(15-9) in 2007.
